Ontario Updates 90-year-old Animal Cruelty Law

News Release for SooNews.ca
Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 10:26AM

Today, Queen’s Park voted to pass Bill 50, An Act to Amend the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Act. Bill 50 is the first significant update to the Act since it was written in 1919. The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) was one of the key stakeholders in the development of Bill 50 and welcomes the changes.




Bill 50 makes it a provincial offence to abuse any animal, and it establishes the strongest penalties in the country for those charged with animal cruelty -- including the potential to prohibit offenders from owning animals ever again. The Ontario SPCA now has the ability to inspect facilities that keep animals for exhibition, entertainment, boarding, hire or sale. For the first time, animal care standards will be established and failure to comply with these standards will be an offence.




Throughout the process of developing Bill 50, the government committed to addressing animal welfare and public safety problems at roadside zoos. WSPA has been working with the government, as part of their membership in the Provincial Animal Welfare Working Group chaired by the Ministry of Community and Safety and Correctional Services, to ensure that the roadside zoo problems are addressed. But, despite recommendations from WSPA and other key stakeholders to include licencing for zoos, licencing will not be a requirement. WSPA is concerned that without this component many of the problems plaguing Ontario’s roadside zoos will continue.



Ontario has more roadside zoos than all other provinces combined, yet it is the only province that does not require a licence to keep exotic wildlife or set public safety requirements for zoos. As a result, animals are being kept in poor, substandard conditions by owners with little or no experience, qualifications or finances to care for them properly. This leaves the animals, zoo visitors and communities surrounding roadside zoos at risk, and it means that just about anyone can keep a monkey or tiger in the backyard.



WSPA has submitted recommendations on regulations that will accompany Bill 50, and remains optimistic that the government will incorporate some of their recommendations and that the problems at roadside zoos will be alleviated through the regulations. WSPA is also urging the government to introduce new legislation that will require licences to keep wild animals.



Quotes:



“We are glad to see that animal welfare remains a non-partisan issue. The leadership of MPPs of all stripes has resulted in stronger protection for animals in Ontario. For that, WSPA could not be more pleased.” Melissa Tkachyk, Programs Officer



“WSPA is proud to have been involved in the process of developing Bill 50, and we encourage the Province to build on this legislation and truly bring us from ‘worst to first’ by implementing a zoo licencing program.” Patrick Tohill, Programs Manager



About WSPA:

For more than 25 years, the World Society for the Protection of Animals has travelled to the farthest flung corners of the planet to end animal suffering and cruelty. WSPA’s presence in more than 140 countries is testament to our commitment to creating a world where animal welfare matters and ending animal cruelty for good. Through partnerships with hundreds of animal welfare organizations, WSPA strives to build a united global animal welfare movement. We bring about change at both grassroots and governmental levels and we support and develop high-profile campaigns, scientifically-backed projects and innovative education initiatives. With our members, governments and international agencies, WSPA also provides relief to animals affected by disasters.



For more information on our work, please visit www.wspa.ca or www.ontariozoos.ca.

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